There should really be euphoria on a launch. But really it’s quiet satisfaction at best, relief more likely. Those last couple of weeks of line-editing, proofreading, fixing little inconsistencies, plot holes…you think that you’ll never get there. Formatting through Scrivener was easy enough even for a technophobe and it was great to see the final draft in Kindle Previewer. But the ‘final’ read through in its final format threw up a load of stuff that had been missed before – worrying after you’ve got to the stage where you can almost recite the 70,000 words. So an absolutely final read through, and yet more stuff to tidy up. Even now I’m sure there are a few things, maybe dialogue formatting and punctuation that the eagle eyed will spot. If there’s anything beyond that I hope that some kind soul will let me know. As ever the writing was the fun part and I had a ball with this one. I hope the enjoyment shines through. I clicked on Publish (and be damned) at midnight last night. Now to do a bit of marketing, see where we get. And then take a deep breath and tackle Createspace to get a POD version done before embarking on the next project. Available now at Amazon UK (click on image) or Amazon.com, as well as most other regions. Thank you all out there for your support!
Launch of ‘A West Cork Mystery’
09 Tuesday Dec 2014
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Many, many congratulations, Roy! Yes, I tend to find launches anticlimactic too – relief is indeed the exact feeling. But this is a great achievement, and the cover is excellent. I hope you’re celebrating this evening.
Best wishes from Susan
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Thank you Susan! You know exactly how it feels. Yes, I love the cover – I hope the story lives up to it 🙂
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Oh how satisfying to hit that publish button, Roy. We’ve had a little experience here with Createspace and the step by step process really is quite straightforward. Good luck with it. I love the cover, by the way.
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Thank you Jenny! Yes it took me about two seconds to approve that first proof of the cover 🙂 It’s perfect. I hope you’re right about Createspace!
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Congratulations Roy! Just ordered my copy, but planning to wait until the holidays to read it so I can curl up on the couch and read without interruption. Looking forward to seeing what your American couple make of the West Cork accent!:)
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Thank you Aileen 🙂 Indeed they find that a longer stay in Ireland gives everything a different perspective. I hope you enjoy.
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Wow! I would have been freaking out before hitting “publish.” Well done, Roy! Congratulations! I’m loving the cover!
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Thanks Jill – I have new admiration for professional editors and publishers. It’s almost mission impossible to get everything spot on. Yes I’m delighted with the cover!
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Again, congrats to you! Now comes the fun part: marketing. 😉
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Thanks for your support Carrie. Any marketing will be targeted and small scale. I haven’t the time or inclination to flood the world with the great news 🙂
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Roy, heartiest congrats. You’re an inspiration with your dedication and determination to see things to the sweet end!
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Thank you Jean. There’s really no option than to put in the hard yards if you wish to produce a good-looking product. I’ve seen too many indie books that fall short in production quality because they’re rushed out. Hopefully this one isn’t in that category.
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I’m quite sure it’s anything but shoddy, Roy.
It’s quite clear that you left all your editing in it ~ so unlike you to have typos in posts ~ see para 2. (Chuckling!)
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OMG 😦 Fixed, thank you Jean!
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Chuckling all the more! That unsmiley face…..
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Yay, Roy! So happy for you. Relief is absolutely the right way to describe it. I hope your book is a smashing success. I’ve got you lined up next on my Kindle. I’m stoked to read this one!
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Thank you Britt! I’d normally want to lie in a dark corner for a while now but I’m enthused, after NaNo, to crash on with some other stuff. Maybe progress Barry 2 from first incomplete draft stage. Honoured to be next up on your Kindle and hope you enjoy 🙂
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Holy smokes, look at you! I’m ready to start on my new project, but I’m making myself finish reedits on BtSG first.
Enjoying rereading this story again. It’s my first, so it has my heart, of course.
Then, I’m never looking at my past work again! LOL!
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Good for you Britt. On the rare occasion I revisit old work I find myself thinking either ‘yeah that was good!’ or more likely ‘what a heap of crap that line was’. I’d like to think that we improve over time and move on. Best wishes and thanks again for your support, shares etc.
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Bravo, Roy! I’m delighted for you – how satisfying it must be to hit “publish”!
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Thank you Letizia. Yes, project completed and relax. For a while anyway. Next I want to crack CreateSpace!
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Congratulations, Roy! That’s a great cover for your book.
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Thank you Janna – yes the cover is perfect, the one I had in my head.
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Season’s Greetings and congratz Roy. Is there any way of downloading to Kobo Reader? If not I will just have to order the old fashioned and infinitely more satisfying page edition!
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Thank you Cybele 🙂 I believe it’s only possible by downloading a software converter. I’m working on a POD version at the moment so you may prefer to wait for that one? Apologies and Happy Christmas, thank you for your support.
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sounds good either way Roy. I’ll check out about the software converter? thanks Roy!!
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A wonderful milestone! I will have to check this book out. Must be a wonderful feeling, Roy.
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Thank you Kay! Yes I’m pleased with this effort. Now to crack on with other projects. Thank you for your support.
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Congratulations Roy that is an amazing achievement. The cover looks stylish and professional.
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Thanks Kath. I’m extremely pleased with the cover – the first time I’ve gone out to a specialist in these matters.
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Roy as a retired graphic designer I see many people who make the mistake of designing their own book covers. I think it is worth the time, money and effort to search out a designer to enhance and create a stylish representation of your hard work. Most people can tell the difference.
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I admire anyone with these skills Kath – I have none at all and happily pay the price for a good job. This one was by a specialist book cover designer, the previous three by someone with proper design skills though not in book covers exclusively. I’m happy with how they have all come out.
Retired? So young?
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Roy not so young but smart enough to get out before burn out. Its a high stress job with crazy deadlines. Lets just say Im now doing what I love and can use this background to my advantage when one fine day I have a picture book finished. Happy xmas to you.
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Great that you’re in a position to do something you enjoy Kath, good for you, and Happy Christmas.
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Congratulations Roy! I’ve really been looking forward to reading this 😀
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Hi Dianne and thank you. I’ve given you a credit in there for sparking the idea, though the countryside is a little different from yours. I’ll be working on a POD version shortly and I’ll mail you one if you wish.
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I would love that Roy. Let me know how much and I’ll put some money in you paypal or credit your a/c 😀
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Just remind me of your mailing address – it’ll be the New Year now though.
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Hi Roy,
This is so cool! A huge accomplishment. I wish you great success with this new release!
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Thank you Naomi, though now I’ve already picked up on two more typos in the published version 😦 It’s never ending.
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This is awesome, Roy! Congratulations! I’m heading to Amazon to buy my copy right now. 🙂
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Ooh thank you 🙂 I hope it lives up to expectations Julie.
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Looking forward to picking this up on my iPad kindle app, Roy. I thoroughly enjoyed Tess of Portelet Manor and Barry so this should go down very well indeed with my Christmas reading. And, of course, I am looking forward to seeing what you make of those folk in West Cork!
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Thank you for your great support RH. I’m not sure what my Irish friends will make of it but I had a ball writing this story.
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